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Bojko M, Węgrzyn K, Sikorska E, Ciura P, Battin C, Steinberger P, Magiera-Mularz K, Dubin G, Kulesza A, Sieradzan AK, Spodzieja M, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S. Peptide-based inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis: potential immunotherapeutics for cancer. Transl Oncol 2024; 42:101892. [PMID: 38359715 PMCID: PMC10877416 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The PD-1/PD-L1 complex belongs to the group of inhibitory immune checkpoints and plays a critical role in immune regulation. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is also responsible for immune evasion of cancer cells, and this complex is one of the main targets of immunotherapies used in oncology. Treatment using immune checkpoint inhibitors is mainly based on antibodies. This approach has great therapeutic potential; however, it also has major drawbacks and can induce immune-related adverse events. Thus, there is a strong need for alternative, non-antibody-based therapies using small molecules, peptides, or peptidomimetics. In the present study, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated a set of PD-1-targeting peptides based on the sequence and structure of PD-L1. The binding of these peptides to PD-1 was investigated using SPR and ELISA. We also assessed their ability to compete with PD-L1 for binding to PD-1 and their inhibitory properties against the PD-1/PD-L1 complex at the cellular level. The best results were obtained for the peptide PD-L1(111-127)(Y112C-I126C), named (L11), which displaced PD-L1 from binding to PD-1 in the competitive assay and inhibited the formation of the PD-1/PD-L1 complex. The (L11) peptide also exhibited strong affinity for PD-1. NMR studies revealed that (L11) does not form a well-defined secondary structure; however, MD simulation indicated that (L11) binds to PD-1 at the same place as PD-L1. After further optimization of the structure, the peptide inhibitor obtained in this study could also be used as a potential therapeutic compound targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Bojko
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Węgrzyn
- University of Gdańsk, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Emilia Sikorska
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Piotr Ciura
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Claire Battin
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Kulesza
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam K Sieradzan
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Spodzieja
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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ZENG SHUANGSHUANG, CHEN XI, YI QIAOLI, THAKUR ABHIMANYU, YANG HUI, YAN YUANLIANG, LIU SHAO. CRABP2 regulates infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune response in melanoma. Oncol Res 2023; 32:261-272. [PMID: 38186580 PMCID: PMC10765133 DOI: 10.32604/or.2023.042345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Finding biomarkers for immunotherapy is an urgent issue in cancer treatment. Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2) is a controversial factor in the occurrence and development of human tumors. However, there is limited research on the relationship between CRABP2 and immunotherapy response. This study found that negative correlations of CRABP2 and immune checkpoint markers (PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4) were observed in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). In particular, in SKCM patients who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors, high levels of CRABP2 predicted poor prognosis. Additionally, CRABP2 expression was elevated in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) at the single-cell level. The expression of CRABP2 was positively correlated with markers of CAFs, such as MFAP5, PDPN, ITGA11, PDGFRα/β and THY1 in SKCM. To validate the tumor-promoting effect of CRABP2 in vivo, SKCM xenograft mice models with CRABP2 overexpression have been constructed. These models showed an increase in tumor weight and volume. Enrichment analysis indicated that CRABP2 may be involved in immune-related pathways of SKCM, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor interaction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The study suggests that CRABP2 may regulate immunotherapy in SKCM patients by influencing infiltration of CAFs. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the role of CRABP2 in immunotherapy response. The findings suggest that CRABP2 may be a promising biomarker for PD-1 inhibitors in SKCM patients. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore the clinical implications of CRABP2 in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- SHUANGSHUANG ZENG
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - XI CHEN
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - QIAOLI YI
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - ABHIMANYU THAKUR
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - HUI YANG
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, 271000, China
| | - YUANLIANG YAN
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - SHAO LIU
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
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Rezayi M, Hosseini A. Structure of PD1 and its mechanism in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Cell Biochem Funct 2023; 41:726-737. [PMID: 37475518 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
PD-1 and CTLA-4 can play an important role in addressing the issue of autoimmune diseases. PD-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on T, B, and Dentric cells. This molecule functions as a checkpoint in T cell proliferation. Ligation of PD-1 with its ligands inhibits the production of IL-2, IL-7, IL-10, and IL-12 as well as other cytokines by macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells, which can suppress cell proliferation and inflammation. Today, scientists attempt to protect against autoimmune diseases by PD-1 inhibitory signals. In this review, we discuss the structure, expression, and signaling pathway of PD-1. In addition, we discuss the importance of PD-1 in regulating several autoimmune diseases, reflecting how manipulating this molecule can be an effective method in the immunotherapy of some autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Rezayi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Marand Baranch, Islamic Azad University, Marand, Iran
| | - Arezoo Hosseini
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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Nie JZ, Wang MT, Nie D. Regulations of Tumor Microenvironment by Prostaglandins. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3090. [PMID: 37370700 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandins, the bioactive lipids generated from the metabolism of arachidonic acid through cyclooxygenases, have potent effects on many constituents of tumor microenvironments. In this review, we will describe the formation and activities of prostaglandins in the context of the tumor microenvironment. We will discuss the regulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune constituents by prostaglandins and their roles in immune escapes during tumor progression. The review concludes with future perspectives on improving the efficacy of immunotherapy through repurposing non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and other prostaglandin modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Z Nie
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Simmons Cancer Institute, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Man-Tzu Wang
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburg, PA 15232, USA
| | - Daotai Nie
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Simmons Cancer Institute, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J, Kharazinejad E. The impact of hypoxia on tumor-mediated bypassing anti-PD-(L)1 therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114646. [PMID: 37011483 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Extending the durability of response is the current focus in cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, factors like non-immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME) along with aberrant angiogenesis and dysregulated metabolic systems are negative contributors. Hypoxia is a key TME condition and a critical promoter of tumor hallmarks. It acts on immune and non-immune cells within TME in order for promoting immune evasion and therapy resistance. Extreme hypoxia is a major promoter of resistance to the programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor therapy. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) acts as a key mediator of hypoxia and a critical promoter of resistance to the anti-PD-(L)1. Targeting hypoxia or HIF-1 can thus be an effective strategy for reinvigoration of cellular immunity against cancer. Among various strategies presented so far, the key focus is over vascular normalization, which is an approach highly effective for reducing the rate of hypoxia, increasing drug delivery into the tumor area, and boosting the efficacy of anti-PD-(L)1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Ebrahim Kharazinejad
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Zhang R, Clark SD, Guo B, Zhang T, Jeansonne D, Jeyaseelan SJ, Francis J, Huang W. Challenges in the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy for breast cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023; 23:375-383. [PMID: 37039098 PMCID: PMC10929662 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2188196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunotherapy (IT) is showing promise in the treatment of breast cancer, but IT alone only benefits a minority of patients. Radiotherapy (RT) is usually included in the standard of care for breast cancer patients and is traditionally considered as a local form of treatment. The emerging knowledge of RT-induced systemic immune response, and the observation that the rare abscopal effect of RT on distant cancer metastases can be augmented by IT, have increased the enthusiasm for combinatorial immunoradiotherapy (IRT) for breast cancer patients. However, IRT largely follows the traditional sole RT and IT protocols and does not consider patient specificity, although patients' responses to treatment remain heterogeneous. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the rationale of IRT for breast cancer, the current knowledge, challenges, and future directions. EXPERT OPINION The synergy between RT and the immune system has been observed but not well understood at the basic level. The optimal dosages, timing, target, and impact of biomarkers are largely unknown. There is an urgent need to design efficacious pre-clinical and clinical trials to optimize IRT for cancer patients, maximize the synergy of radiation and immune response, and explore the abscopal effect in depth, taking into account patients' personal features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Medical Physics Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Samantha D Clark
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Beibei Guo
- Department of Experimental Statistics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Duane Jeansonne
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Samithamby J Jeyaseelan
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Joseph Francis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Weishan Huang
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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7
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Robbins Y, Friedman J, Redman J, Sievers C, Lassoued W, Gulley JL, Allen CT. Tumor cell HLA class I expression and pathologic response following neoadjuvant immunotherapy for newly diagnosed head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol 2023; 138:106309. [PMID: 36682187 PMCID: PMC9974754 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Biomarkers are needed to identify patients likely to respond to neoadjuvant immunotherapy (NIT) prior to receiving definitive treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS We hypothesized that expression of tumor cell HLA class I would correlate with pathologic response (PR) following NIT for primary untreated head and neck cancer. Multispectral immunofluorescence of pre- and post-treatment biopsy specimens from a neoadjuvant study of bintrafusp alfa, a dual TGF-β and PD-L1 inhibitor, was performed. RESULTS Discordant expression of tumor cell HLA class I and PD-L1 measured by multispectral immunofluorescence was observed with most positive tumor cells expressing HLA class I or PD-L1 but not both. Spatial analysis revealed colocalization between tumor parenchyma T cells and HLA class I positive tumors cells, but no clear colocalization between T cells and PD-L1 positive tumor cells. Greater pre-treatment tumor cell HLA class I expression, but not PD-L1 expression or tumor T cell infiltration, correlated with the development of a PR. Additionally, increased tumor cell HLA class I expression after NIT compared to before NIT correlated with development of a PR, whereas inconsistent changes in PD-L1 and T cell infiltration were observed after treatment in all patients. CONCLUSIONS These data provide the rationale for the study of tumor cell HLA class I expression in larger prospective studies powered to determine the performance of biomarkers of PR in newly diagnosed HNSCC patients receiving NIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Robbins
- Section on Translational Tumor Immunology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jay Friedman
- Section on Translational Tumor Immunology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jason Redman
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cem Sievers
- Section on Translational Tumor Immunology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Wiem Lassoued
- Tumor Immune Microenvironment Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - James L Gulley
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Tumor Immune Microenvironment Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Clint T Allen
- Section on Translational Tumor Immunology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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Montoyo-Pujol YG, García-Escolano M, Ponce JJ, Delgado-García S, Martín TA, Ballester H, Castellón-Molla E, Martínez-Peinado P, Pascual-García S, Sempere-Ortells JM, Peiró G. Variable Intrinsic Expression of Immunoregulatory Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Mammospheres, and Co-Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4478. [PMID: 36901916 PMCID: PMC10003642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in immunotherapy have increased interest in knowing the role of the immune system in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis. Therefore, immune checkpoints (IC) and other pathways related to immune regulation, such as JAK2 and FoXO1, have emerged as potential targets for BC treatment. However, their intrinsic gene expression in vitro has not been extensively studied in this neoplasia. Thus, we evaluated the mRNA expression of tumor-cell-intrinsic CTLA-4, PDCD1 (PD1), CD274 (PD-L1), PDCD1LG2 (PD-L2), CD276 (B7-H3), JAK2, and FoXO1 in different BC cell lines, derived mammospheres, and co-cultures with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our results showed that intrinsic CTLA-4, CD274 (PD-L1), and PDCD1LG2 (PD-L2) were highly expressed in triple-negative cell lines, while CD276 was predominantly overexpressed in luminal cell lines. In contrast, JAK2 and FoXO1 were under-expressed. Moreover, high levels of CTLA-4, PDCD1 (PD1), CD274 (PD-L1), PDCD1LG2 (PD-L2), and JAK2 were found after mammosphere formation. Finally, the interaction between BC cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulates the intrinsic expression of CTLA-4, PCDC1 (PD1), CD274 (PD-L1), and PDCD1LG2 (PD-L2). In conclusion, the intrinsic expression of immunoregulatory genes seems very dynamic, depending on BC phenotype, culture conditions, and tumor-immune cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoel Genaro Montoyo-Pujol
- Research Unit, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Marta García-Escolano
- Research Unit, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - José J. Ponce
- Medical Oncology Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Silvia Delgado-García
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Tina Aurora Martín
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Hortensia Ballester
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Elena Castellón-Molla
- Pathology Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Pascual Martínez-Peinado
- Biotechnology Department, Immunology Division, University of Alicante, Ctra San Vicente s/n., 03080 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | - Sandra Pascual-García
- Biotechnology Department, Immunology Division, University of Alicante, Ctra San Vicente s/n., 03080 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | - José Miguel Sempere-Ortells
- Biotechnology Department, Immunology Division, University of Alicante, Ctra San Vicente s/n., 03080 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Gloria Peiró
- Research Unit, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Pathology Department, Dr. Balmis University General Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Biotechnology Department, Immunology Division, University of Alicante, Ctra San Vicente s/n., 03080 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
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Russano M, La Cava G, Cortellini A, Citarella F, Galletti A, Di Fazio GR, Santo V, Brunetti L, Vendittelli A, Fioroni I, Pantano F, Tonini G, Vincenzi B. Immunotherapy for Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Therapeutic Advances and Biomarkers. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:2366-2387. [PMID: 36826142 PMCID: PMC9955173 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment paradigm of non-small cell lung cancer and improved patients' prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have quickly become standard frontline treatment for metastatic non-oncogene addicted disease, either as a single agent or in combination strategies. However, only a few patients have long-term benefits, and most of them do not respond or develop progressive disease during treatment. Thus, the identification of reliable predictive and prognostic biomarkers remains crucial for patient selection and guiding therapeutic choices. In this review, we provide an overview of the current strategies, highlighting the main clinical challenges and novel potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Russano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06225411252
| | - Giulia La Cava
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Cortellini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Citarella
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Galletti
- Division of Medical Oncology, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, 00152 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rita Di Fazio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Santo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Brunetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Vendittelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Iacopo Fioroni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pantano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tonini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Vincenzi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
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Saadi W, Fatmi A, Pallardó FV, García-Giménez JL, Mena-Molla S. Long Non-Coding RNAs as Epigenetic Regulators of Immune Checkpoints in Cancer Immunity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010184. [PMID: 36612180 PMCID: PMC9819025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, cancer treatment has undergone significant changes, predominantly in the shift towards immunotherapeutic strategies using immune checkpoint inhibitors. Despite the clinical efficacy of many of these inhibitors, the overall response rate remains modest, and immunotherapies for many cancers have proved ineffective, highlighting the importance of knowing the tumor microenvironment and heterogeneity of each malignancy in patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted increasing attention for their ability to control various biological processes by targeting different molecular pathways. Some lncRNAs have a regulatory role in immune checkpoints, suggesting they might be utilized as a target for immune checkpoint treatment. The focus of this review is to describe relevant lncRNAs and their targets and functions to understand key regulatory mechanisms that may contribute in regulating immune checkpoints. We also provide the state of the art on super-enhancers lncRNAs (selncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which have recently been reported as modulators of immune checkpoint molecules within the framework of human cancer. Other feasible mechanisms of interaction between lncRNAs and immune checkpoints are also reported, along with the use of miRNAs and circRNAs, in generating new tumor immune microenvironments, which can further help avoid tumor evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiam Saadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature, Life and Earth Sciences, University of Djillali Bounaama, Khemis Miliana 44225, Algeria
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (S.M.-M.)
| | - Ahlam Fatmi
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico V. Pallardó
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - José Luis García-Giménez
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador Mena-Molla
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (S.M.-M.)
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11
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Shinchi Y, Ishizuka S, Komohara Y, Matsubara E, Mito R, Pan C, Yoshii D, Yonemitsu K, Fujiwara Y, Ikeda K, Tamada K, Sakagami T, Suzuki M. The expression of PD-1 ligand 1 on macrophages and its clinical impacts and mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2645-2661. [PMID: 35352168 PMCID: PMC8963674 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03187-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) are target molecules for immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. PD-L1 is expressed not only in cancer cells, but also on macrophages, and has been suggested to contribute to macrophage-mediated immune suppression. We examined the clinical significance of PD-L1 expression on macrophages in human lung adenocarcinoma. The mechanism of PD-L1 overexpression on macrophages was investigated by means of cell culture studies and animal studies. The results showed that high PD-L1 expression on macrophages was correlated with the presence of EGFR mutation, a lower cancer grade, and a shorter cancer-specific overall survival. In an in vitro study using lung cancer cell lines and human monocyte-derived macrophages, the conditioned medium from cancer cells was found to up-regulate PD-L1 expression on macrophages via STAT3 activation, and a cytokine array revealed that granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was a candidate factor that induced PD-L1 expression. Culture studies using recombinant GM-CSF, neutralizing antibody, and inhibitors indicated that PD-L1 overexpression was induced via STAT3 activation by GM-CSF derived from cancer cells. In a murine Lewis lung carcinoma model, anti-GM-CSF therapy inhibited cancer development via the suppression of macrophage infiltration and the promotion of lymphocyte infiltration into cancer tissue; however, the PD-L1 expression on macrophages remained unchanged. PD-L1 overexpression on macrophages via the GM-CSF/STAT3 pathway was suggested to promote cancer progression in lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer cell-derived GM-CSF might be a promising target for anti-lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Shinchi
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shiho Ishizuka
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan. .,Department of Immunology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan.
| | - Eri Matsubara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Remi Mito
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Cheng Pan
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Daiki Yoshii
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Yonemitsu
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yukio Fujiwara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Koei Ikeda
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Koji Tamada
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takuro Sakagami
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Suzuki
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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12
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Battin C, Leitner J, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Olive D, Steinberger P. BTLA inhibition has a dominant role in the cis-complex of BTLA and HVEM. Front Immunol 2022; 13:956694. [PMID: 36081508 PMCID: PMC9446882 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.956694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The engagement of the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM, TNFRSF14) by the B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) represents a unique interaction between an activating receptor of the TNFR-superfamily and an inhibitory receptor of the Ig-superfamily. BTLA and HVEM have both been implicated in the regulation of human T cell responses, but their role is complex and incompletely understood. Here, we have used T cell reporter systems to dissect the complex interplay of HVEM with BTLA and its additional ligands LIGHT and CD160. Co-expression with LIGHT or CD160, but not with BTLA, induced strong constitutive signaling via HVEM. In line with earlier reports, we observed that in cis interaction of BTLA and HVEM prevented HVEM co-stimulation by ligands on surrounding cells. Intriguingly, our data indicate that BTLA mediated inhibition is not impaired in this heterodimeric complex, suggesting a dominant role of BTLA co-inhibition. Stimulation of primary human T cells in presence of HVEM ligands indicated a weak costimulatory capacity of HVEM potentially owed to its in cis engagement by BTLA. Furthermore, experiments with T cell reporter cells and primary T cells demonstrate that HVEM antibodies can augment T cell responses by concomitantly acting as checkpoint inhibitors and co-stimulation agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Daniel Olive
- Team Immunity and Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, U1068; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7258; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Peter Steinberger,
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13
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Hamada K, Tsunoda T, Yoshimura K. Emerging Immune-Monitoring System for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1229. [PMID: 36013407 DOI: 10.3390/life12081229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have a major impact on cancer treatment. However, the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs is only effective in some patients. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumor mutation burden (TMB), and high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-high) are markers that predict the efficacy of ICIs but are not universally used in many carcinomas. The gut microbiota has received much attention recently because of its potential to have a significant impact on immune cells in the cancer microenvironment. Metabolites of the gut microbiota modulate immunity and have a strong influence on the therapeutic efficacy of ICI. It has been suggested that the gut microbiota may serve as a novel marker to predict the therapeutic efficacy of ICI. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop biomarkers that can predict anti-tumor effects and adverse events, and the study of the gut microbiota is essential in this regard.
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14
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Hernandez S, Lazcano R, Serrano A, Powell S, Kostousov L, Mehta J, Khan K, Lu W, Solis LM. Challenges and Opportunities for Immunoprofiling Using a Spatial High-Plex Technology: The NanoString GeoMx ® Digital Spatial Profiler. Front Oncol 2022; 12:890410. [PMID: 35847846 PMCID: PMC9277770 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.890410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of the tumor microenvironment through immunoprofiling has become an essential resource for the understanding of the complex immune cell interactions and the assessment of biomarkers for prognosis and prediction of immunotherapy response; however, these studies are often limited by tissue heterogeneity and sample size. The nanoString GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) is a platform that allows high-plex profiling at the protein and RNA level, providing spatial and temporal assessment of tumors in frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded limited tissue sample. Recently, high-impact studies have shown the feasibility of using this technology to identify biomarkers in different settings, including predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in different tumor types. These studies showed that compared to other multiplex and high-plex platforms, the DSP can interrogate a higher number of biomarkers with higher throughput; however, it does not provide single-cell resolution, including co-expression of biomarker or spatial information at the single-cell level. In this review, we will describe the technical overview of the platform, present current evidence of the advantages and limitations of the applications of this technology, and provide important considerations for the experimental design for translational immune-oncology research using this tissue-based high-plex profiling approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharia Hernandez
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rossana Lazcano
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alejandra Serrano
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Steven Powell
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Larissa Kostousov
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jay Mehta
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Khaja Khan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Luisa M Solis
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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15
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Xu H, Chen Y, Li Z, Zhang H, Liu J, Han J. The hypoxia-inducible factor 1 inhibitor LW6 mediates the HIF-1α/PD-L1 axis and suppresses tumor growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 930:175154. [PMID: 35868447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The low survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major challenge for clinicians and patients, and its progression may be related to hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and PD-L1. LW6 is a drug that inhibits hypoxia by reducing HIF-1α accumulation and gene transcriptional activity. However, its effect and regulatory mechanism in HCC remain to be revealed, especially under hypoxic conditions. The HIF-1α and PD-L1 expression in HCC specimens and paracarcinoma tissues was evaluated by a tissue microarray (TMA). The effects of LW6 were evaluated by cell viability, colony formation, and Transwell assays and xenografted nude mice. Cell cycle and apoptosis of HCC cells were detected by flow cytometry. The effects of LW6 on HIF-1α signaling and its targets PD-L1 and VEGF were evaluated through qRT-PCR, Western blots, Cell transfection, Transwell migration and invasion assays, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and luciferase assays. In this study, we found that LW6 had antiproliferative effects on HCC and promoted HCC cell apoptosis, inhibited their migration and invasion, and affected their cell cycle. LW6 dramatically decreased HIF-1α expression through the VHL-dependent proteasome system pathway, inhibited HIF-1α transcriptional activation, and reduced PD-L1 expression by inhibiting EGFR pathway activation. These results suggest that LW6 can promote apoptosis of HCC cells by inhibiting HIF-1α, inhibit tumor angiogenesis, and downregulate the expression of PD-L1, which is an effective choice for the treatment of HCC. Moreover, inhibiting the hypoxic microenvironment combined with immunotherapy is expected to be a potentially effective strategy.
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16
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Yonemitsu K, Pan C, Fujiwara Y, Miyasato Y, Shiota T, Yano H, Hosaka S, Tamada K, Yamamoto Y, Komohara Y. GM-CSF derived from the inflammatory microenvironment potentially enhanced PD-L1 expression on tumor-associated macrophages in human breast cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12007. [PMID: 35835809 PMCID: PMC9283541 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16080-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Ever since immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for anti-cancer therapy in several cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer, the significance of programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in the tumor immune microenvironment has been a topic of interest. In the present study, we investigated the detailed mechanisms of PD-L1 overexpression on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in breast cancer. In in vitro culture studies using human monocyte-derived macrophages, lymphocytes, and breast cancer cell lines, PD-L1 overexpression on macrophages was induced by the conditioned medium (CM) of activated lymphocytes, but not that of cancer cells. Granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) derived from activated lymphocytes was found to be involved in PD-L1 overexpression, in addition to interferon (IFN)-γ, via STAT3 pathway activation. Macrophages suppressed lymphocyte activation, and this inhibition was impaired by PD-1 blocking. The CM of activated lymphocytes also induced the overexpression of PD-L2, but GM-CSF did not affect PD-L2 expression. In the murine E0771 breast cancer model, anti-GM-CSF therapy did not affect PD-L1 expression on TAMs, and the mechanisms of PD-L1 expression on TAMs might differ between humans and mice. However, not only PD-L1, but also PD-L2 was overexpressed on TAMs in the E0771 tumor model, and their expression levels were significantly lower in the tumors in nude mice than in wild-type mice. Anti-PD-L1 antibody and anti-PD-L2 antibody synergistically inhibited E0771 tumor development. In conclusion, PD-L1 and PD-L2 were overexpressed on TAMs, and they potentially contributed to immunosuppression. The GM-CSF-STAT3 pathway is thought to represent a new mechanism of PD-L1 overexpression on TAMs in human breast cancer microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimihiro Yonemitsu
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Cheng Pan
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yukio Fujiwara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yuko Miyasato
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takuya Shiota
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hiromu Yano
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Seiji Hosaka
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Koji Tamada
- Department of Immunology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yamamoto
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuouku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan. .,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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17
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J. Roles for macrophage-polarizing interleukins in cancer immunity and immunotherapy. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022. [PMID: 35587857 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00667-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are the most abundant and one of the most critical cells of tumor immunity. They provide a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity through releasing cytokines into the tumor microenvironment (TME). A number of interleukin (IL) cytokine family members is involved in shaping the final phenotype of macrophages toward either a classically-activated pro-inflammatory M1 state with anti-tumor activity or an alternatively-activated anti-inflammatory M2 state with pro-tumor activity. Shaping TME macrophages toward the M1 phenotype or recovering this phenotypic state may offer a promising therapeutic approach in patients with cancer. Here, we focus on the impact of macrophage-polarizing ILs on immune cells and IL-mediated cellular cross-interactions within the TME. The key aim of this review is to define therapeutic schedules for addressing ILs in cancer immunotherapy based on their multi-directional impacts in such a milieu. Gathering more knowledge on this area is also important for defining adverse effects related to cytokine therapy and addressing them for reinforcing the efficacy of immunotherapy against cancer.
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Yadav D, Kwak M, Chauhan PS, Puranik N, Lee PCW, Jin JO. Cancer immunotherapy by immune checkpoint blockade and its advanced application using bio-nanomaterials. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:909-922. [PMID: 35181474 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have been the main cancer therapeutic modalities in recent years. Cancer immunotherapy is a novel therapeutic modality that potentiates the immune responses of patients against malignancy. Immune checkpoint proteins expressed on T cells or tumor cells serve as a target for inhibiting T cell overactivation, maintaining the balance between self-reactivity and autoimmunity. Tumors essentially hijack the immune checkpoint pathway in order to survive and spread. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are being developed as a result to reactivate the anti-tumor immune response. Recent advances in nanotechnology have contributed to the development of successful, safe, and efficient anticancer drug systems based on nanoparticles. Nanoparticle-based cancer immunotherapy overcomes numerous challenges and offers novel strategies for improving conventional immunotherapies. The fundamental and physiochemical properties of nanoparticles depend on various cancer therapeutic strategies, such as chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid-based treatments, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic agents. The review discusses the use of nanoparticles as carriers for delivering immune checkpoint inhibitors and their efficacy in cancer combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhananjay Yadav
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
| | - Minseok Kwak
- Department of Chemistry and Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | | | - Nidhi Puranik
- Biological Sciences Department, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Peter C W Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Jun-O Jin
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea.
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Saleh RR, Scott JL, Meti N, Perlon D, Fazelzad R, Ocana A, Amir E. Prognostic Value of Programmed Death Ligand-1 Expression in Solid Tumors Irrespective of Immunotherapy Exposure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mol Diagn Ther 2022. [PMID: 35106739 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00576-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) pathway, which plays a crucial role in cancer immune surveillance, is the target of several approved immunotherapeutic agents and is used as a predictive biomarker in some solid tumors. However, its use as a prognostic marker (i.e., regardless of therapy used) is not established clearly with available data demonstrating inconsistent prognostic impact of PD-L1 expression in solid tumors. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search of electronic databases and identified publications exploring the effect of PD-L1 expression on overall survival and/or disease-free survival. Hazard ratios were pooled in a meta-analysis using generic inverse-variance and random-effects modeling. We used the Deeks method to explore subgroup differences based on disease site, stage of disease, and method of PD-L1 quantification. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Programmed cell death ligand-1 expression was associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.26-1.39; p < 0.001). There was significant heterogeneity between disease sites (subgroup p = 0.002) with pancreatic, hepatocellular, and genitourinary cancers associated with the highest magnitude of adverse outcomes. Programmed cell death ligand-1 was also associated with worse overall disease-free survival (hazard ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.30; p < 0.001). Stage of disease did not significantly affect the results (subgroup p = 0.52), nor did the method of quantification via immunohistochemistry or messenger RNA (subgroup p = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS High expression of PD-L1 is associated with worse survival in solid tumors albeit with significant heterogeneity among tumor types. The effect is consistent in early-stage and metastatic disease and is not sensitive to method of PD-L1 quantification. These data can provide additional information for the counseling of patients with cancer about prognosis.
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Kuo YT, Liao CK, Chen TC, Lai CC, Chiang SF, Chiang JM. A high density of PD-L1-expressing immune cells is significantly correlated with favorable disease free survival in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28573. [PMID: 35060518 PMCID: PMC8772683 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of immune cells (ICs) expressing various markers remains poorly understood in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer patients who have undergone colectomy. Here, we aimed to clarify the correlation between IC density and clinical parameters and survival.Programmed death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1), clusters of differentiation (CD)-3, CD-8, and CD45RO immunostaining was performed for 421 patients using tissue microarray and automatic counting. Tumor stroma area immune density was assessed in comparison to clinical histological factors and surgical outcomes.High-density CD-8 expression was significantly associated with current smoking habits or a smoking history (P = .006). High-density of PD-1 expression was correlated with Lynch syndrome patients (P < .001) and with patients who did not consume alcohol (P = .034). A significant decrease in CR45RO expression density was associated with aging (P = .002 and r = -0.014), and high-density CD-3, CD-8, and PD-1 expression was significantly associated with right colon tumor location (P < .001). High CD-3 and PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with early tumor T-staging (P = .018 and P = .002). High-density PD-1 expression was significantly correlated with mucinous type adenocarcinoma (P = .027) and poor differentiation (P < .001). For treatment outcomes, multivariate analysis confirmed that patients exhibiting high-density PD-L1 expression possessed significantly longer disease free survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.752, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.92, P = .006) and overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.872, 95% CI: 0.75-1.91, P = .064)Significantly varied density in IC subsets was related to distinct demographic or clinic-histological factors. The presence of high-density PD-L1-expressing ICs is an independent favorable prognostic factor for disease free survival and overall survival among stage I to III colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Kuo
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Kai Liao
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tse-ching Chen
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chou Lai
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sum-Fu Chiang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jy-Ming Chiang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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21
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Healey Bird B, Nally K, Ronan K, Clarke G, Amu S, Almeida AS, Flavin R, Finn S. Cancer Immunotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors-Biomarkers of Response and Toxicity; Current Limitations and Future Promise. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:124. [PMID: 35054292 PMCID: PMC8775044 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies that are used to treat over one in three cancer patients. While they have changed the natural history of disease, prolonging life and preserving quality of life, they are highly active in less than 40% of patients, even in the most responsive malignancies such as melanoma, and cause significant autoimmune side effects. Licenced biomarkers include tumour Programmed Death Ligand 1 expression by immunohistochemistry, microsatellite instability, and tumour mutational burden, none of which are particularly sensitive or specific. Emerging tumour and immune tissue biomarkers such as novel immunohistochemistry scores, tumour, stromal and immune cell gene expression profiling, and liquid biomarkers such as systemic inflammatory markers, kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, circulating immune cells, cytokines and DNA are discussed in this review. We also examine the influence of the faecal microbiome on treatment outcome and its use as a biomarker of response and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Healey Bird
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
- Bon Secours Hospital, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
| | - Ken Nally
- School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland;
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (A.S.A.)
| | - Karine Ronan
- Department of Oncology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, D04 T6F4 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Gerard Clarke
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (A.S.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
| | - Sylvie Amu
- Cancer Research at UCC, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland;
| | - Ana S. Almeida
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland; (G.C.); (A.S.A.)
| | - Richard Flavin
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland; (R.F.); (S.F.)
- St. James’s Hospital Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen Finn
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland; (R.F.); (S.F.)
- St. James’s Hospital Dublin, D08 NHY1 Dublin, Ireland
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22
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Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, immune checkpoint ligands (ICLs) must be expressed in order to trigger the inhibitory signal via immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs). Although ICL expression frequently occurs in a manner intrinsic to tumor cells, extrinsic factors derived from the tumor microenvironment can fine-tune ICL expression by tumor cells or prompt non-tumor cells, including immune cells. Considering the extensive interaction between T cells and other immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, ICL expression on immune cells can be as significant as that of ICLs on tumor cells in promoting anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we introduce various regulators known to induce or suppress ICL expression in either tumor cells or immune cells, and concise mechanisms relevant to their induction. Finally, we focus on the clinical significance of understanding the mechanisms of ICLs for an optimized immunotherapy for individual cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Yoo Min Oh
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Sang-Jun Ha
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
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23
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Shklovskaya E, Rizos H. MHC Class I Deficiency in Solid Tumors and Therapeutic Strategies to Overcome It. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136741. [PMID: 34201655 PMCID: PMC8268865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now well accepted that the immune system can control cancer growth. However, tumors escape immune-mediated control through multiple mechanisms and the downregulation or loss of major histocompatibility class (MHC)-I molecules is a common immune escape mechanism in many cancers. MHC-I molecules present antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T cells, and MHC-I loss can render tumor cells invisible to the immune system. In this review, we examine the dysregulation of MHC-I expression in cancer, explore the nature of MHC-I-bound antigenic peptides recognized by immune cells, and discuss therapeutic strategies that can be used to overcome MHC-I deficiency in solid tumors, with a focus on the role of natural killer (NK) cells and CD4 T cells.
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Du Z, Niu S, Wang J, Wu J, Li S, Yi X. SChLAP1 contributes to non-small cell lung cancer cell progression and immune evasion through regulating the AUF1/PD-L1 axis. Autoimmunity 2021; 54:225-233. [PMID: 33904361 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2021.1913582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
SChLAP1 is recently reported as a key oncogenic long non-coding RNA in human cancer. However, whether SChLAP1 functions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its specific potential regulatory mechanism remain unexplored. In this study, we found that depletion of SChLAP1 significantly inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and retarded tumour growth and lung metastasis in vivo. SChLAP1 facilitated NSCLC cell immune evasion against CD8+ T cells through PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint. In detail, SChLAP1 was able to directly interact with AUF1, antagonizing the binding between AUF1 and PDL1 mRNA 3'-UTR, resulting in increasing PDL1 mRNA stability and expression, thereby repressing CD8+ T cell function. Consistently, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment evidently blocked the enhanced cell proliferation and invasion caused by SChLAP1 overexpression. Importantly, SChLAP1 was significantly upregulated in NSCLC cell lines, serum and tissues, which was identified as an excellent indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC. In conclusion, our data for the first time uncover that SChLAP1 functions an oncogene in NSCLC by promoting cancer cell immune evasion via regulating the AUF1/PDL1 axis, targeting of SChLAP1 may be a potential approach to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghai Du
- Department of Cancer Center, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Weifang, China
| | - Shuxian Niu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Weifang, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Cancer Center, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Weifang, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Cancer Center, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Weifang, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Weifang, China
| | - Xiuxiu Yi
- Department of Cancer Center, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Weifang, China
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Buñuales M, Ballesteros-Briones MC, Gonzalez-Aparicio M, Hervas-Stubbs S, Martisova E, Mancheño U, Ricobaraza A, Lumbreras S, Smerdou C, Hernandez-Alcoceba R. Adenovirus-Mediated Inducible Expression of a PD-L1 Blocking Antibody in Combination with Macrophage Depletion Improves Survival in a Mouse Model of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4176. [PMID: 33920699 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in a growing number of malignancies. However, overcoming primary or secondary resistances is difficult due to pharmacokinetics issues and side effects associated with high systemic exposure. Local or regional expression of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using gene therapy vectors can alleviate this problem. In this work, we describe a high-capacity adenoviral vector (HCA-EFZP-aPDL1) equipped with a mifepristone-inducible system for the controlled expression of an anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody. The vector was tested in an immune-competent mouse model of colorectal cancer based on implantation of MC38 cells. A single local administration of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1 in subcutaneous lesions led to a significant reduction in tumor growth with minimal release of the antibody in the circulation. When the vector was tested in a more stringent setting (rapidly progressing peritoneal carcinomatosis), the antitumor effect was marginal even in combination with other immune-stimulatory agents such as polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (pI:C), blocking mAbs for T cell immunoglobulin, mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) or agonistic mAbs for 4-1BB (CD137). In contrast, macrophage depletion by clodronate liposomes enhanced the efficacy of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1. These results highlight the importance of addressing macrophage-associated immunoregulatory mechanisms to overcome resistance to ICIs in the context of colorectal cancer.
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Azcue P, Encío I, Guerrero Setas D, Suarez Alecha J, Galbete A, Mercado M, Vera R, Gomez-Dorronsoro ML. PD-L1 as a Prognostic Factor in Early-Stage Colon Carcinoma within the Immunohistochemical Molecular Subtype Classification. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1943. [PMID: 33920689 PMCID: PMC8073668 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a patent need to better characterize early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression has been proposed as a prognostic factor but yields mixed results in different settings. The Consensus Molecular Subtype (CMS) classification has yet to be integrated into clinical practice. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression overall and within CMS in early-stage colon cancer patients, in the hope of assisting treatment choice in this setting. METHODS Tissue-microarrays were constructed from tumor samples of 162 stage II/III CRC patients. They underwent automatic immunohistochemical staining for PD-L1 and the proposed CMS panel. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS PD-L1 expression was significantly and independently associated with better prognosis (HR = 0.46 (0.26-0.82), p = 0.009) and was mostly seen in immune cells of the tumor-related stroma. CMS4 five-folds the risk of mortalitycompared with CMS1 (HR = 5.58 (1.36, 22.0), p = 0.034). In the subgroup CMS2/CMS3 analysis, PD-L1 expression significantly differentiated individuals with better OS (p = 0.004) and DFS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that PD-L1 expression is an independent prognostic factor in patients with stage II/III colon cancer. Additionally, it successfully differentiates patients with better prognosis in the CMS2/CMS3 group and may prove significant for the clinical relevance of the CMS classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Azcue
- Department of Health Science, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Ignacio Encío
- Department of Health Science, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
| | - David Guerrero Setas
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.G.S.); (M.M.)
- Campus Arrosadia, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31006 Pamplona, Spain
- Molecular Pathology of Cancer Group–Navarrabiomed, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Suarez Alecha
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Arkaitz Galbete
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
- Campus Arrosadia, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31006 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarrabiomed-Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), Redissec, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Mercado
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.G.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Ruth Vera
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Luisa Gomez-Dorronsoro
- Institute for Health Research Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.G.); (R.V.)
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Hospital Complex of Navarra (CHN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.G.S.); (M.M.)
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27
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Marcucci F, Rumio C. Depleting Tumor Cells Expressing Immune Checkpoint Ligands-A New Approach to Combat Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:872. [PMID: 33921301 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies against inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules (ICPMs), referred to as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have gained a prominent place in cancer therapy. Several ICIs in clinical use have been engineered to be devoid of effector functions because of the fear that ICIs with preserved effector functions could deplete immune cells, thereby curtailing antitumor immune responses. ICPM ligands (ICPMLs), however, are often overexpressed on a sizeable fraction of tumor cells of many tumor types and these tumor cells display an aggressive phenotype with changes typical of tumor cells undergoing an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, immune cells expressing ICPMLs are often endowed with immunosuppressive or immune-deviated functionalities. Taken together, these observations suggest that compounds with the potential of depleting cells expressing ICPMLs may become useful tools for tumor therapy. In this article, we summarize the current state of the art of these compounds, including avelumab, which is the only ICI targeting an ICPML with preserved effector functions that has gained approval so far. We also discuss approaches allowing to obtain compounds with enhanced tumor cell-depleting potential compared to native antibodies. Eventually, we propose treatment protocols that may be applied in order to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of compounds that deplete cells expressing ICPMLs.
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28
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Shklovskaya E, Lee JH, Lim SY, Stewart A, Pedersen B, Ferguson P, Saw RPM, Thompson JF, Shivalingam B, Carlino MS, Scolyer RA, Menzies AM, Long GV, Kefford RF, Rizos H. Tumor MHC Expression Guides First-Line Immunotherapy Selection in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113374. [PMID: 33202676 PMCID: PMC7696726 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapy leads to durable responses in a proportion of patients with advanced melanoma. Combination immunotherapy is more efficacious than single-agent immunotherapy, yet it is associated with significant toxicity. Currently there are no robust biomarkers to guide first-line immunotherapy selection. We have developed a flow cytometry-based score, to quantify the expression of antigen-presenting molecules MHC-I and MHC-II on melanoma cells, that incorporates both the fraction of tumor cells expressing MHC molecules and the level of expression. We demonstrate that the evaluation of tumor cell surface MHC-I expression aids in treatment selection, with combination immunotherapy providing clinical benefit over single-agent immunotherapy in MHC-I low melanoma with poor immune cell infiltration. Abstract Immunotherapy targeting T-cell inhibitory receptors, namely programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and/or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4), leads to durable responses in a proportion of patients with advanced metastatic melanoma. Combination immunotherapy results in higher rates of response compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy, at the expense of higher toxicity. Currently, there are no robust molecular biomarkers for the selection of first-line immunotherapy. We used flow cytometry to profile pretreatment tumor biopsies from 36 melanoma patients treated with anti-PD-1 or combination (anti-PD-1 plus anti-CTLA-4) immunotherapy. A novel quantitative score was developed to determine the tumor cell expression of antigen-presenting MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules, and to correlate expression data with treatment response. Melanoma MHC-I expression was intact in all tumors derived from patients who demonstrated durable response to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. In contrast, melanoma MHC-I expression was low in 67% of tumors derived from patients with durable response to combination immunotherapy. Compared to MHC-I high tumors, MHC-I low tumors displayed reduced T-cell infiltration and a myeloid cell-enriched microenvironment. Our data emphasize the importance of robust MHC-I expression for anti-PD-1 monotherapy response and provide a rationale for the selection of combination immunotherapy as the first-line treatment in MHC-I low melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Shklovskaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (E.S.); (J.H.L.); (S.Y.L.); (A.S.); (B.P.); (R.F.K.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
| | - Jenny H Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (E.S.); (J.H.L.); (S.Y.L.); (A.S.); (B.P.); (R.F.K.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Su Yin Lim
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (E.S.); (J.H.L.); (S.Y.L.); (A.S.); (B.P.); (R.F.K.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
| | - Ashleigh Stewart
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (E.S.); (J.H.L.); (S.Y.L.); (A.S.); (B.P.); (R.F.K.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
| | - Bernadette Pedersen
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (E.S.); (J.H.L.); (S.Y.L.); (A.S.); (B.P.); (R.F.K.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
| | - Peter Ferguson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Robyn PM Saw
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - John F Thompson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Brindha Shivalingam
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Matteo S Carlino
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Blacktown Cancer and Haematology Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2148, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Alexander M Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mater Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
| | - Richard F Kefford
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (E.S.); (J.H.L.); (S.Y.L.); (A.S.); (B.P.); (R.F.K.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Helen Rizos
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (E.S.); (J.H.L.); (S.Y.L.); (A.S.); (B.P.); (R.F.K.)
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; (P.F.); (R.P.S.); (J.F.T.); (B.S.); (M.S.C.); (R.A.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.V.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-9850-2762
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